Energy assistance is a hot commodity as cooler weather arrives

SCANA Energy and its customers are uniting to help keep Georgians warm this winter and aid neighbors struggling to pay their heating bills. Through its partnership with the Atlanta-based nonprofit Heating Energy Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.), Inc., SCANA Energy makes it easy for its customers to make personal donations to help others get through difficult times.

To help serve those in need this year, SCANA Energy will again expand its own partnership with H.E.A.T. to include SCANA Energy customers who”d like to lend a hand. Over the last 11 years, SCANA Energy and its customers have contributed approximately $2 million in energy heating assistance to the needy.

“Offering our customers a way to work with H.E.A.T. is a great solution in turbulent times,”# said George Devlin, vice president and general manager of SCANA Energy. “It enables our customers to really help a neighbor with a donation that fits their personal needs. The combined power of these donations makes an incredible difference in so many lives.”#

Last month, SCANA Energy donated $85,000 to the Heating Energy Assistance Team. “These dollars are needed every year, but probably more so this year than before.# Many Georgia families have lost their jobs in a stubbornly weak economy, and they will need additional assistance to keep their homes warm. We”re honored to be able to supply that help,”# says Devlin.

The assistance is also especially needed now, because of steep cuts in federal funding for energy assistance. “That makes it all the more important for natural gas marketers like SCANA Energy to contribute to help low-income families,”# said Janet Joseph, executive director of H.E.A.T., Inc.

SCANA Energy offers customers two ways to donate – by making a one-time donation directly through H.E.A.T or, for an ongoing commitment, by having their donation added to each monthly SCANA Energy bill. All donations are tax deductible.# SCANA Energy is the only natural gas provider that offers the opportunity for customers to donate to H.E.A.T. through monthly billing.# To use the monthly plan and for more information about the H.E.A.T partnership, visit http://www.scanaenergy.com/en/community-involvement/energy-assistance.

Since its inception in 1983, H.E.A.T. has helped nearly 89,000 Georgia families pay their energy bills and distributed more than $20 million. The funds are distributed by the Georgia Department of Human Resources via local community action agencies. Those seeking assistance or others wishing to donate should call H.E. A. T. at 678-406-0212 or visit www.heatga.org.